Mrs. Kenyon could find no fault with the neat and clean condition
of the house, nor with the way the dishes were washed and placed
in order on the shelves. She was, however, considerably surprised,
not to say startled, at the culinary efforts of her son and his
guests, and she declared she could not understand "how anyone can
sleep in those beds, the rough-and-tumble way they're made!" But
after making them properly, she realized that there were now not
enough beds to go round. Hence Ralph and Blake for two nights
slept in the hayloft in the barn.

The railroad surveyors returned to Oakvale in due time, having
fully established the previous survey which Ralph's father had
caused to be made. There could be no further dispute now over the
boundary lines, and "Old Man Perkins' claim hadn't a leg to stand
on," as Tom Walsh expressed it, when the report was read to him.
Nothing remained now but to await the decision of the railroad
officials as to whose property they would buy.

The three lads, Ralph and Tom and Blake, had gained some valuable
experience in their work with the surveying squad. Toward the
end, Ralph had been able to go about with the others everywhere
except on the stony slopes of the hills, where the walking was
difficult. His work on the garden patches completed, he had a
brief interval of welcome leisure to spend with his helpful guests.

"Well, boys, I guess we'll start for camp to-morrow, if Joe turns
up to guide us," Rawson said the evening after the survey was
completed. "Why don't you come with us, Ralph? I'm sure your
mother can spare you for a few days, and we'd all be delighted to